Since 1973 the Nebraska Supreme Court has recognized language access as necessary to providing justice, ensuring people who cannot speak English or are deaf or hearing-disabled have equal access to participate in cases in Nebraska State Courts.  Language access provided by Nebraska Court Interpreters to court proceedings and probation services may have a lasting and life-altering impact upon a Limited English Proficient (LEP) court user and his or her family.

Court interpreter certification is an earned professional credential.  Certification is proof of

• Substantial language skills in both English and a second language,
• Broad knowledge of English terms and court-related vocabulary, and
• Verified ability to accurately interpret in a wide range of registers and subject matters.  

Those who successfully certify as court interpreters have a native-like proficiency in both English and another language, allowing them to move seamlessly between two languages. 

The first step toward certification is Court Interpreter Orientation, an intensive 2-day in-person introduction to the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for successful court interpretation.   

The next Court Interpreter Orientation is April 17-18, 2021, at Judicial Branch Education.  The registration form is available on the Judicial Branch website; the workshop costs $150.00.  Registration and payment are due no later than April 1, 2021.

^{Photo: In 2019 approximately 212,101 Nebraska residents spoke a language other than English at home.  Source:  U.S. Census Bureau, American Communities Survey.}